A nice couple with a set of twins who were camping a few sites over from her would invite her to their campsite for a hotdog and hamburger every now and again as a thank you for playing with the twins while they rested, but she never considered it an open invitation and would never invite herself. She could pray that their generosity would continue until she had her paycheck, but that was really pushing her luck especially when she barely had any luck to begin with.
It was only a few days, and if she had to go without food for a short time she could do it. Lord knows she’d done it many times as a kid when she was placed in a foster home where the parents used her as an income. She’d gone without so many times that it wouldn’t be that big of a deal if she had to again.
Food wasn’t important right now. Her main priority was impressing Mason so she could secure her job. So she ignored that annoying voice in the back of her mind telling her to step away from the shampoo and began to browse the shelf.
They were out of the cheap stuff she’d been using, and so she looked for the next cheapest bottle she could find. She did a quick smell test to make sure it wasn’t too awful and was pleasantly surprised at the fresh, clean scent. It would do.
Suddenly the hairs on the back of her neck stood on edge and a feeling of dread sunk into her stomach. It happened every now and again—the feeling of being watched. The feeling that Dylan was back to grab her by the hair and drag her back to Florida where she would be trapped with him forever.
He’s not here, she told herself.
It had been four months since she first travelled to New Hampshire for bike week with Dylan and four months since his abuse marked an all-time high, igniting the spark of courage she needed to flee the nightmare she’d been trapped in. She escaped but the fear still clung to her like a hot humid day.
There was no way he could be there, though she wouldn’t be sure unless she looked for herself, but fear had her glued to the floor, unable to move. Her elbows pressed into her sides as if she was trying to appear as small as possible.
She searched for the strength that she used when she’d finally escaped, grabbed onto it, and turned around, scanning her surroundings. Relief flooded through her when she realized she was the only one in the aisle. Not fully convinced, she moved around to the next aisle and the next until she was certain Dylan wasn’t there.
You survived. He can’t hurt you anymore. He’s long gone. Back in Florida and far away from here. You’re safe.
She rested against a shelf filled with bug repellant and smiled at the irony. Once she gathered her wits and recovered from the fear, she collected the rest of the necessities, placing them all in her basket and ignoring the desire to grab a chocolate bar as she waited in line.
She kept her head down, not wanting to make eye contact with anyone. She wasn’t sure if people had seen her as she ran from one aisle to the next, and she didn’t want to find out. She preferred to act as if it never happened.
“I know you,” she heard behind her, but continued to keep her head down as she placed her items on the counter. The woman continued speaking though. She moved closer, and Cassie could smell the sweet scent of apple and cinnamon. “You came by the other day looking for a job.”
Cassie looked up, instantly recognizing the woman from the Happy Apple. It was kind of hard not to remember her big red hair and infectious smile. Today she had a pair of big leopard print sunglasses pushed up on her head and surrounded by the big puff of red hair. Her bright red lips matched her jacket and the stitching in her black pants that ended just at the ankle above a pair of gold sneakers.
Cassie admired her uniqueness, but more than anything she admired this woman’s guts. This was an outfit that screamed look at me! And, as someone who dodged attention, she couldn’t imagine drawing so much of it to herself on purpose.
“That was me,” Cassie said.
She had gone to the Happy Apple first in hopes they’d need a waitress. Not only was it right on Main Street—prime location for her situation—but the place was packed, so it was a guarantee that she’d make decent money in tips. The place smelled divine, like fresh baked apples, and this woman had been so sweet, even apologizing repeatedly for not being able to help her out; she simply didn’t have an opening.
Cassie had been disappointed, but she couldn’t hold it against the sweet lady. She couldn’t create a position out of thin air no matter how desperately Cassie wished she could.
“I thought that was you. I have to tell you…” she said with a big grin as if she solved a puzzle that had been eating at her all day. “I’ve been feeling awful about not being able to help you out.”
“It’s fine, really.” In the end, it turned out to be more of a blessing than anything else. If she was hired by Terry, she never would have gotten the job with Mason, and so far, working with Mason seemed like it was a good fit.
She loved the brewery and all of the beer that they had to offer. It was a quality product she was proud to stand behind. She liked Mason’s work ethic and his attention to detail. She loved how he took the time to show her things and answer any questions she had. Overnight they went from strangers to a team, and she was genuinely happy with her job and the opportunity.
“I’ll tell you what,” Terry said. “If you’re still looking, I’ll find a way to get you on the schedule. Maybe send my husband home. Lord knows he drives me bonkers being there all day.”
Cassie laughed at Terry’s dramatic hand movements and facial expressions. “I really appreciate it. You have no idea how much. But I actually found something.”
“Oh, thank the heavens.” Terry patted a hand against her chest, her gold bracelets clanking together. “Who was lucky to scoop you up?”
“Mason Hayes at Five Leaf Brewery.”
“Oh,” Terry said with a sudden gleam in her eye and a silly smile on her overly red lips. “Our Mason is a great boy. You’re in good hands.”
The thought of Mason’s hands on her caused an unexpected shot of heat to race across her skin.
“That’ll be fourteen thirty-two,” the cashier said, bringing her mind back to reality.
Cassie went into her wallet and was horrified when she realized she only had twelve dollars. She froze, staring down at the few bills in her hand then looked up at the register, hoping by some miracle she heard wrong, but no… Staring back at her, in bright green numbers, was fourteen thirty-two.
Shame turned into panic as she tried to figure out what she could live without. She rummaged through the bags the cashier already packed up. She needed toothpaste, that was a given. Maybe she could get rid of the conditioner…No, if she did, she’d never manage to get a brush through her hair. Maybe she could use the shampoo as body wash and could put the soap back. Or maybe the shampoo since she had a little left still. She definitely couldn’t put back the deodorant.
She looked back at her wallet as if more money would magically appear. How could she be so careless? The stupid fear of Dylan coming after her and the moment of panic threw her, and she forgot to keep track of what she was spending.
She would put the soap back, but that was only two dollars, and she was over that by a little. As she tried to work it out in her head a gentle hand rested on hers and pushed it down to her side. Terry smiled as she handed a credit card to the cashier.
“Luke, ring us up together,” she said, and Cassie immediately protested.
“Oh no, Luke don’t do that. It’s totally not necessary. I was going to put this back. She grabbed the shampoo and took it out of the bag, holding it out to Luke.
Luke took it from her, but Terry pointed a red manicured finger at him. “Don’t even think about it.”
Luke froze, looking back and forth between them, but when Terry narrowed her gaze, he put the shampoo back in the bag without question.
Was this woman out of her mind? She didn’t know her from a hole in the wall, yet she was willing to hand over her credit card to take care of Cassie’s bill. No. Cassie couldn’t let
her. She wasn’t a charity case; she just needed time to get her act together. If she would have waited until she got paid this wouldn’t have happened.
Cassie took a deep breath and shook her head, ready to fight Terry and at least be able to walk out of this store with her dignity intact. “You don’t—”
“You’re right,” Terry said, cutting her off. “I don’t, but I want, so let me. Please.”
“I have money at home,” Cassie blurted. “I’ll run and get it.”
“Luke finish up the transaction,” Terry said and turned Cassie away from the register. “Sweetie,” she spoke softly. “Everyone needs a little help every now and again. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. Besides, I want to help you.”
Cassie had prided herself on being able to ward off emotion, but tears welled up in her eyes, despite her efforts to fight them back. She didn’t want to be weak. She spent so many years of her life being feeble on the inside—a weak pathetic mess, but she wasn’t that girl anymore. She refused to be. “I’ll pay you back,” Cassie insisted.
“Nonsense.” The woman waved her off like the sheer thought of paying her back was ludicrous.
Who was this woman, and what did Cassie do to deserve her kindness? Cassie took a deep breath and forced those pesky tears down that were inching closer and closer to the edge. “Thank you. You have no idea how much I appreciate it.”
“Believe me, I do. I was once in your shoes, and I know how hard it can be, but it gets better.” Cassie couldn’t even fathom a woman like Terry ever being down on her luck. “Just stay strong.” Terry shucked her chin. “It’s Cassie, right?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Well, it was a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Cassie. I hope to see more of you.”
“I think you will.”
“Good. And the next time you’re down this way, you stop over at my place and I’ll whip you up some of my famous apple pancakes.”
“They’re really good,” Luke, the cashier said as if he finally felt safe to speak.
“Darn tootin.” Luke handed Terry her card back, and she leaned over the counter and pinched his cheek. “You tell your mother I said hi.”
“Yes ma’am.”
Luke handed Cassie her bags, and she accepted them with a smile. He wished her a nice day, causing more warmth to spread through her. Everyone in this town was so nice, and after months of hiding out at a campsite, she was happy that she finally found the courage to venture out.
She thanked Terry again, but Terry waved her off. “You just come in and try my pancakes and that’ll be all the thanks I need.”
Cassie didn’t understand how that worked, but she wasn’t about to argue. She had a feeling no matter what the argument was, Cassie would never win with her. “Deal,” she said, thinking that she might actually take Terry up on her offer. She couldn’t remember the last time she had a real breakfast, and the thought of pancakes made her mouth water and her stomach growl.
“This is me,” Terry said.
Cassie waited for Terry to walk toward a car but instead she went right to a bicycle, causing Cassie to do a double take. She blinked a few times unsure if her eyes were playing tricks on her, but they weren’t. That bike was definitely leopard print.
Terry placed her bag into a red basket, rang a gold bell, and gave a final wave as she rode away on the leopard print bike.
A smile, unforced and welcomed, spread across Cassie’s face as she watched Terry make her way out of the parking lot and toward Main Street.
Terry had said that she’d once been in Cassie’s shoes and, granted, Terry didn’t know her story, it still gave Cassie hope. Because it was proof that someone who was down on their luck was able to emerge from the rubble and not just resurface, but shine.
Chapter 4
Mason opened the box his future brother-in-law dropped off that morning when he came to discuss the bike race they were cosponsoring together. FRAGILE was written all over the top and sides in bright red marker in his sister, Kate’s handwriting. She had spent weeks after work hours creating these custom, one-of-a-kind handblown growlers to display and sell at the brewery. He had a special shelf made for them, including an overhead light that would provide the spotlight they deserved. He couldn’t wait to have them in place and for her to stop by and see them.
The box was filled with packing peanuts, and he reached in, searching for the product. His hand finally hit something, and he pulled out what he imagined a lifetime of bubble wrap would look like.
“Tape, too? You have got to be kidding me,” he mumbled to himself as he attempted to peel the tape off. He was getting nowhere and went in search of scissors or a razorblade when Cassie popped up behind him, holding scissors. It had been just shy of a week since she started working for him, yet she always seemed to know exactly what he needed without having to ask. It definitely came in handy.
“Thank you,” he said, taking them from her.
“You looked like you were struggling.”
“Do you see how much tape is on this thing?’
“Someone went to a lot of trouble to keep them safe. What is it?” Cassie bent down beside him surrounding him in a fruity scent.
“You smell good.”
She looked at him like he was crazy, and maybe he was for blurting something so ridiculous out, but sometimes he didn’t have control over his mouth. If he thought something it usually came out no matter how inappropriate it was. He once told Terry at the Happy Apple that he would have done her back in the day when she showed him a picture of her in her twenties. Luckily, Terry was thrilled with his compliment and agreed with him. Of course.
“Thanks,” Cassie said, pulling another overly wrapped package from the box. “So what are these?”
“Growlers,” he answered. “My sister owns the glass blowing studio and handmade a bunch for me to display and sell. Her fiancé dropped them off this morning.”
“The tall guy with the dark hair?”
“That would be him. Caleb. He’ll be here at the opening. He owns The Chain and Spoke.”
“The one who you’re organizing the bike race with?”
“That would be him. I’ll make sure to introduce you to him and Kate.”
“I look forward to it.”
“Good, because I’ll probably be introducing you to a lot more people.”
“Will your whole family be here?”
“Everyone but my youngest sister. She lives in New York. But she did promise me she would come up as soon as she could, so you’ll meet her someday.”
“If I pass the trial run,” Cassie said with a smirk that was meant to be joking, but Mason could see the hopefulness that lay beneath it.
In his eyes, she had already passed with flying colors; he would be out of his mind if he thought he’d be able to find anyone half as capable as she had proven to be. But they’d agreed to a week, so he would give her that long before he shared the good news with her.
“Time will tell.” He handed her the scissors and began to unravel the hundred yards of bubble wrap. Once the bubble wrap was gone he discovered brown paper.
“She’s efficient, I’ll give her that,” Cassie said, and Mason nodded.
“My sister takes her work very seriously.”
“Seems to be a family trait.”
“I suppose it is.”
“Sometimes I wonder if the things I do are learned or part of my DNA. I guess I’ll never really know for sure.”
“What about your foster mom?”
“What about her?”
“What was she like?”
“She was a good person, you know? There are a lot of people in the world who do good things, but it’s not the same. Francine always did good things. That’s who she was. She never wanted to be recognized or rewarded for it. She did it because she wanted to. I’m convinced she had a heart of gold because…” Emotion choked Cassie’s words, and she stopped.
Mason didn’t say anything. He knew if she wanted to share
more she would so he continued to unwrap the growlers and give her time to gather her thoughts.
“Because,” Cassie finally said, “she took me in when no one else wanted me.”
Mason couldn’t imagine what it was like growing up and not having a family to turn to. He had so many family members and friends that he was never lonely. If anything, he would have to sneak off to get some peace and quiet. Sometimes it was overwhelming, but he would never wish for the alternative. He’d rather deal with drama of his sisters, the random fights with his brothers, and the intrusion of privacy by every person in his family than be alone.
But what really boggled his mind was how nobody wanted her. He’d only known her for a few days, but with each day he learned something he liked. She was quiet, but when she did speak she was insightful and sweet. She was perceptive and a quick learner. Her work ethic was outstanding, and he had a feeling beneath the years of heartache and despair there was a woman who was strong and courageous. Her kneeling beside him today proved that.
She could have let the system destroy her like it had so many others. She’d probably give all the credit to her foster mom, and while Mason didn’t doubt this woman had some hand in it, a person still needed to be strong-willed.
He hated to see the sadness dull the brightness in her eyes, and not thinking, he reached out and gently palmed her face. She sucked in a surprised breath, looking up at him and catching his gaze.
She had a sprinkling of freckles across her nose that he never really noticed before and one very distinct freckle beneath her eye. He ran his thumb across it, relishing in the softness of her skin before realizing he crossed a line and letting his hand fall to his side.
He cleared his throat and turned his attention to the growlers. “I can’t imagine why nobody would have wanted you.”
She didn’t speak for a long moment, making Mason curse himself for acting before thinking.
“I was undesirable I guess,” she finally said.
Moments with Mason (A Red Maple Falls Novel, #3) Page 3
